President Bashir says ready to support S.Sudan refugees

Sudanese President Omar Al Bashir has said wont spare any efforts is bringing about peace and stability in neighboring South Sudan should his country find itself in position to act. Brigade General Joseph Nzabamwita, the Secretary General of the National Intelligence and Security Service (NISS) of Rwanda and the Chairperson of the 14th Ordinary Session of CISSA Conference. (Martin Lejuene) South Sudan—the youngest country in Africa after seceding from Sudan, in 2011—plunged into ethnic violence in December 2013 when forces loyal to President Salva Kiir, started fighting those loyal to Riek Machar, his former vice president. The conflict has left thousands of people killed, forced about 4 million to flee their homes while some 7.6 million people are in desperate need of aid. There were hopes that the mineral-rich South Sudan would have stability after its independence from Sudan, in the north, but that is yet to be seen. While officiating at the opening of a two-day 14th ordinary session of Committee of Intelligence and Security Services of Africa (CISSA), yesterday in Khartoum, Sudan, President Bashir said that his country is extending a hand of friendship to the neighboring South Sudan, including welcoming refugees as well as offer any other support needed to bring about peace. Ibrahim Sani Abani, Secretary General of the Community of Sahel-Saharan States (CEN-SAD), speaking at the Opening Ceremony of the 14th Ordinary Session of CISSA Conference in the International Friendship Hall in Khartoum, Sudan. (Martin LeJeune) “I would like to affirm through this conference that we will spare no efforts in giving all the assistance possible for refugees from our neigbouring country South Sudan despite absence of assistance coming from the international community, Bashir said. He added that, “its our conviction that our national security will not be complete unless we have security and stability in all our neighbours, especially South Sudan and we are hopeful that will get calm, stability and peace in a very short time.” In a subsequent interview with The New Times, Dut Chagai, from South Sudan General Intelligence Bureau said that his country welcomes support from Sudan, noting that the two countries have a lot in common after all. “We have to maintain the relationship because we are one country, with the same culture, relationship and we have a common border, we are sharing so many things, Chagai said. Africa’s Political and security experts at the conference have stated that African states can no longer fend off terrorism and security threats in isolation, hence the need to take inclusive yet collaborative approach. The General Intelligence Presidency (GIP) of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia arrives to the 14th Ordinary Session of CISSA Conference at the International Friendship Hall in Khartoum, Sudan. (Martin LeJeune) Rwanda’s secretary-general of the National Intelligence and Security Services, who is also the current Chairperson of CISSA, Brig Gen Joseph Nzabamwita, said African states ought to work together in combating security threats to bring about political stability—which will consequently lead to socio-economic transformation of the continent. Nzabamwita said security threats heavily rely on political vulnerabilities such as conflicts and civil wars to create insurgencies in the region, hence a need for sustainable measures to bring about peace and stability in Africa. “Terrorism in Africa is new and causing enormous challenges as terrorist groups are showing greater skills and forming alliances across borders, regions and even continents,” he said. Noting that terrorism respects no boundaries, he said combating the threats calls for strategic collaboration among CISSA members and partners. The African Union Peace and Security Commissioner, Ismael Sharqi, echoed Nzabamwita’s remarks, saying that “the progress and vision of AU will strongly depend on the political stability and peace of its member states.” He asked Intelligence and Security Chiefs convened at CISSA conference in Khartoum to come up with “proactive measures” that would inform policy to bring about sustainable peace and stability in the region. In relation to the United States of America embargo imposed on Sudan in 1997 for its alleged support of Islamist militant groups, Nzabamwita—who will handover CISSA Chairmanship to Sudanese Counterpart at this conference—added that, “in support of the full lifting of the sanctions, we hope it should be done by October 2017.” US President Donald Trump recently praised Sudans efforts in fighting terrorism, and is due to decide next month whether to permanently lift sanctions on Khartoum.

News

President Bashir says ready to support S.Sudan refugees